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Whether you're happy with your current Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system or you're in the market for a one, a few simple steps will let you make it a more powerful tool, according to an article on the Solutions Review website.

Solutions Review suggests you start by taking an in-depth look at your technology, organization, employees and processes and offered a checklist of best practices, including:

• Assign specific responsibility for the lifecycle of the ERP system and explain the system's role to company executives

• Set a regular schedule to measure, refine and improve your ERP system and keep up to date with software upgrades

• Identify effective ways to connect your ERP with employees mobile devices

• Review ERP users and provide training

• Implement a technology support strategy to meet long-term ERP requirements

• Review your data and resolve errors such in inaccurate product codes, duplicate records, etc.

•Develop a corporate plan to capitalize on your ERP-facilitated capabilities

Another important feature for a ERP system in the jan/san industry is a robust customer relationship management (CRM) functionality. A CRM tool can give your sales staff a complete view of client profiles. These company profiles can include its size, names of decision makers, location and contact information. It also allows the sales staff to build data-rich profiles on potential and current clients.

This type of functionality is essential when coordinating sales processes and prospecting efforts in order to win major clients, says Louie Davis, the business development manager at Central Paper Company in Birmingham, Alabama.